Syracuse, N.Y. -- World of Beer at Destiny USA features hundreds of beers and 50 rotating taps, along with a full cocktail selection and a beer-inspired food menu. But no beer has flowed and no food has been eaten there since the mall closed nearly three months ago because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The franchise’s owner, Neil Patel, thinks that’s long enough.
Patel wants the state to allow his business to open under phase three of New York’s regional economic reopening plan, but he’s not optimistic.
“It’s upsetting, to say the least," he said.
Destiny USA officials were surprised when Gov. Andrew Cuomo did not permit tenants in the interior portions of malls to reopen when he allowed Central New York and several other regions to enter phase two on May 29.
A spokesperson for Cuomo cited concerns that people will congregate in the common areas of malls, increasing the likelihood of spreading the novel coronavirus and Covid-19, the highly contagious respiratory disease it causes.
It’s unclear whether malls will be permitted to fully reopen under phase three, which might start for Central New York as early as this Friday.
Jason Conwall, a spokesperson for Cuomo, said Tuesday the full reopening of malls “is under discussion but remains to be determined.”
Standalone restaurants, however, will be allowed to reopen their dining rooms under phase three, with restrictions such social distancing requirements and maximum 50% occupancy. Patel said it would be unfair not to allow his restaurant to open, too.
“It is an unfair competitive advantage for other folks,” he said. “That’s very frustrating. We’re following the same procedures. We’re taking the same precautions. We’ve invested out of pocket.”
It’s been a difficult time for World of Beer since Destiny USA, the largest mall in New York and sixth-largest in the nation, was ordered closed by government order in mid-March because of the pandemic.
Patel tried offering curbside pickup service, but that did not work out. Because of its name, many people view World of Beer as primarily a bar, even though it derives half its revenue from serving meals, he said.
The restaurant has not been able to make its lease payments -- they total $28,000 a month for rent, common area charges and utilities -- since the mall closed.
“I’m working with the mall for a deferment or abatement,” he said. “I’m hopeful we can work something out with them.”
The interior portions of Destiny USA in Syracuse were shut down by government order in mid-March because of the coronavirus pandemic. Rick Moriarty | rmoriarty@syracuse.com
It’s been hard on his 30 employees, too.
“My staff has family that they are trying to take care of,” he said.
Patel said the mall’s abundance of common areas would actually make it easier for people to socially distance.
In preparation for reopening, Patel has rearranged tables in World of Beer to maintain social distancing and adhere to the state’s occupancy limits, and he’s made plans to have employees frequently clean and sanitize tables, the bar, bathrooms and other high-touch surfaces. Employees would have their temperatures checked and be required to wear masks and answer a series of health questions each time they report to work.
The restaurant opened on Destiny’s third floor in December 2013, offering 50 different brews on tap and hundreds of bottled beers behind the bar.
Patel said he hopes to bring back many of his employees when the business reopens, even with the occupancy restriction and likelihood that customers will not return in large numbers right away.
“Something is better than nothing," he said. “Right now, I have nothing.”
Rick Moriarty covers business news and consumer issues. Got a tip, comment or story idea? Contact him anytime: Email | Twitter | Facebook | 315-470-3148
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Owner of World of Beer at Destiny USA: Unfair not to allow us to open in phase 3 - syracuse.com
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